I am in the process of having a jotul castine 400 in blue enamel installed, vented up an existing chimney with a new liner. The only knock on Jotuls that I have read about is the intense smoke during the break-in period. I know the basics of how to do break-in fires, but has anyone figured out ways to minimize the intense smoke problem? I love "ordinary" wood smoke smells, but would love to avoid a total smoke-out.
new jotul castine 400 break-in advice to minimize smoke?
- Thread starter chainsawdad
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I don't have the 400 but did break in my 3CB. There was no excess smoke and I haven't actually picked up that others had excess smoke. You WILL have some paint curing smell, but that wasn't anything severe. I didn't feel the need to open a window or air out the house afterward thats for sure. Just follow the directions, do the 3 break in fires of increasing temp and you'll be fine.
If you have smoke coming in the house, that's another issue. Crack a window or door when you light your stove to help increase the draft.
If you have smoke coming in the house, that's another issue. Crack a window or door when you light your stove to help increase the draft.
I never had a smoke smell from my unit during the break-in period. Just a slight odor from the paint curing.
My break in was a non -issue. No smoke. I used very small splits (dry) . Regulated temp by the size of the fire. Kept the air full open for each burn. I believe your manual should describe 3 consecutive burns with gradual increase in temps for each burn cycle.
Nice stove! 
The enameled stoves don't produce as much break in smoke. Just follow the manual and you'll be fine. You may need to crack a window when the stove gets up to 450 or 500. But only for the first fire at that temp.
The enameled stoves don't produce as much break in smoke. Just follow the manual and you'll be fine. You may need to crack a window when the stove gets up to 450 or 500. But only for the first fire at that temp.i too have the jotul castine for about the five years and the break in smoke is not that bad...i have the double doors and usually only open one door to load it...when i open both seems to make the room more smokey...it is -2 here in montana and 75 inside right now...sure would like to see the new style in action
I have the Oslo and the breakin odor was minimal. You gotta be pretty sharp to not exceed those manual temperatures during breakin though, easy to overshoot 'em if you put too much wood in there.
Thanks for all the feedback! In the stove rating section of hearth.com a few people complained about the smoke during break in, so I'm relieved it hasn't been a problem for most folks. Just waiting for a heat shield for the wooden mantle, which is too close for code, and then I look forward to breaking it in!
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